Overview

• Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury center, was awarded the WNBA Cares Community Assist Award for her advocacy in the safe return of over 60 wrongfully detained Americans.
• Her work included partnering with the Bring Our Families Home (BOFH) campaign for the safe return of detention cases that were unjustified; she met several times with family members of detainees and set up letter-writing stations during games to raise awareness.
• Griner, after her release from wrongful detention in Russia, used her experience to inspire others in the hostage community, demonstrating that life can return to normal after being a hostage.
• Apart from her advocacy work, Griner was also honored for her Phoenix-based shoe drive, the BG Heart & Sole Shoe Drive, which was launched in 2016 and collected a new record of 3,000 pairs of shoes this season for people experiencing homelessness.
• This shoe drive is done in partnership with the Phoenix Rescue Mission, where they not only distribute shoes, but also other items such as shirts, backpacks, hats, and hygiene products.
• In Griner's honor, the WNBA will donate $20,000 to be split between the BOFH campaign and the BG Heart & Sole Shoe Drive.